All this football has worn me out!

Whew, what a day of game playing! I have been watching football since right after 1:00 pm until about 7:40 pm without ceasing. Even when the Jaguar game had a lightning delay, a different game was shown that I watched, not even remembering who it was playing! Now, that's bad! Or, good, as the case might be. Both teams I support won today which makes me quite happy. The Packer game got a bit too close for comfort there for a while but in the end, they won---whoo hoo! My butt is asleep for all this sitting.

See my pretty, new shoes? Maggie told me about seeing them at Dilliards at St. Johns Town Center Mall but did not have them in her size. She knew I would like them so Kerry and I went to our Mall to find them. I do like them, very much!!

*

All the sitting started this morning with Bible study and church, sitting for both of those events, and then the congregational/voter's meeting afterward. I even sat as I drove home from church, calling my order in to Danny in the cabana so my food would be ready when I arrived. And it was! Miss Chardonnay and Karrie were in the cabana watching the game but I excused myself to watch upstairs. It was just lovely out there today, too, but the games were on! 93 above zero and sunny but no pool for me on Game Day!

*

Justin sent me a couple text messages from the game, including a photo of the giant flag that extended the length of the field, in commemoration of the 9/11's terror attacks. It was quite impressive, particularly since his seat is in the rafters of the stadium, which affords a full view. Later he sent me a message that they were relieved to have clouds moving in to provide shade, as today was about the hottest game ever for the players and spectators, I guess. I told him the announcer of the game reported that some weather was on the way, about 5 minutes out. Justin said he did not see anything but in a few moments wrote again that the trees had disappeared....rain! The game was delayed due to lightning for about 35 minutes, which caused me to miss part of the Packer game. After the game resumed, the storm moved this way with such a robust thunderclap that my laptop nearly went airborne---again!

*

Last night was a quiet one especially with Kerry gone. My comfort is knowing it will be only a few more days before Lynn and Linda arrive. Hopefully the pool water will stay warm enough for my next guests to enjoy. We will have to be out there bright and early to bask in the sunshine before the shadows come across the water! Soon the fun resumes around here!!!

What a sad day for me

My sister went home. Yup, she did it, got on the plane and flew back to WI. Many of my friends and neighbors were encouraging her to stay here and transfer her employment to Jacksonville's ATT center. Who knows? Maybe some day, she will!

One of the ladies last night said Kerry would be surprised at how much cheaper it is to live here, but on the ride to the airport this a.m., Kerry said that is not true. She is basing this on the cost of rent and the price of pork steaks and hamburger at Winn-Dixie. Whether that is a fair measure or not, I do not know, but since we do not have to pay state taxes, we are miles ahead of the game that WI residents face, regardless of the meat prices. Our license plate fees are high but our weather is better. Cannot argue with that logic!

*

Right now I am flipping forth and back between "House" and Fox News where I am watching a special about the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Two years ago at this time I was in WI helping to take care of my father-in-law while John and Mona were gone to West Point for a pinning ceremony for JR. All day, it seemed, on 9/11, I watched specials about the terror attacks while Arno dosed on and off in his chair. He had trouble keeping the present and the past separated, and as I recall, was counting the minutes until the Thrivent representative was coming to have him sign something. We were off by a day on the expected visit and Arno did not like that very well at all. Today, there did not seem to be as much coverage, and I am wondering if that is because it is a weekend rather than a week day this time. Too many sporting events to take up time and attention on a Saturday afternoon, I guess. Good thing I have some DVDs of the event to watch if I wish to. In a few moments, the lights will be turned on at the World Trade Center site when it gets dark enough and will shine heavenward through the night. God bless America!

*

Earlier there was the roll of thunder but thus far, no storm. I opted to remain in the house for the evening after coming in from the pool around 4:15 or so. The water was chilly, in some opinions, but the air temperature was in the low 90's, perhaps about 94. When the sun became low in the sky and cast shadows on the water, we got cold! Not only me, but some of the others as well. It felt good to come up here, put my nightie on and cover my legs with this light blanket. My doors are opened, the A/C back in the OFF position and yet, my feet are cold. There is a bit of a headache going on, too, but that might be from the crying I did today. Oh, I am so sad Kerry has left, she had such a good time and I am glad for her.

*

On the way back from the airport, I had to drive passed Orange Park and head the other direction to the Southside for the Pampered Chef party. Anne H. knew I was so sad about Kerry going home that she promised to go easy on me with the 'intervention' talk today. Fortunately, my friend, Kathy R., needed a certain dish and asked me to order it for her so I had something to put on my order blank. That is, besides the Cherry Almond sauce I ordered for putting over ice cream or pound cake. Does that not sound marvelous? The consultant remembered me from a previous party as the person who buys the product but does not cook. How funny is that?

*

After the party, I came back home and got my clothes changed immediately. I knew Penny was coming over to swim so I got down there to order my lunch from Danny. It was great to see the decent-sized crowd gathered there, with the TV in the cabana showing the Gator football game. I understand that Danny was telling everyone who came in about his little birthday party we threw for him last night. Maggie and Jessica baked and frosted cupcakes for his cake, Ellen brought a bouquet of balloons, plus several folks gave him cards. Kerry and I bought him a Gators t-shirt since he told me the Gators were 'his boys' last weekend. When we jammed into the cabana and started singing to him, it was obvious he was totally blown away. What a great feeling it was to make his day special! Kerry expressed regret that she did not say a better good-bye to him before she left. That only means she has to come back and do it again!

Kerry's visit continued but nearly over....

This tiny photo is Kerry floating in the pool, taken with my cell phone, which is why it is so dinky. She wanted me to make sure that The Club showed up in the background so I could not really zoom in on just her. Today I will take the 'real' camera down with me so we can take a decent-sized photo. She is camera-shy but with her body below water, she wanted a photo of herself in the pool to taunt her friends!!

*

When Kerry went down to fish in the a.m. yesterday, she had left her phone upstairs so did not call Nancy L. to join her. Too bad about that. Breakfast was at Grumpy's where she had a nice plateful of food courtesy of The Bad Mood Dude. She couldn't see anyone who looked Grumpy but I told her new folks have bought the restaurant so all are happy now! On the way to Victory I tried to call Mom, as is my custom, but her line was busy, which means she was on the computer. No worries, I called her on the way home instead.

*

The Bible study, with 10 of us present, is about sanctified living and how it ours by grace. Pastor Hoyer allowed Kerry to use their fax machine to send something to her work to secure her vacation choices for next year. Pastor also gave Kerry one of our workbooks and even though Harold H. said she had to pay for it, she was assured it was free for her. She said she really enjoyed that Bible study and especially how soothing Pastor's delivery is, and assuring.

*

From Victory we were on to Joe's Crab Shack where we dined el fresco and Kerry just loved it. In fact, twice she ventured off the deck to walk to the beach, on her second trip back, stepped off the path to cooler sand where her foot found a piece of cactus. About the size of a small pear, the pickers were stuck in her foot, and she had to tug mightily to get it loose. Justin and I were still on the deck and did not realize she had a problem until she got back up there, not able to put her foot down because pickers were still in the foot. The nice waiter came by and was able to pull one more obvious picker out and she worked on the rest herself. He got a sizable tip for that! Later that night, by the way, she was walking into the family room and stubbed a toe on her other foot and thinks she might have broken it! Yikes!

*

Originally our plans were to go to Twila's to fish in the afternoon but Twila was afraid it was too hot in the full sun of midafternoon and was still quite busy running errands so we opted to stay home and go swimming some more. She came a long way from thinking she would not swim to now swimming at every opportunity! And she got a chance later to do more fishing outside here, having a great time doing that. She made our dinner and we ate at home, watching the football game and talking. It was great, just great, and she stayed up until just before 10:00 pm which is late for her! I watched to the end of the game, although I did nod off during part of the 4th quarter. That old grandpa quarterback on the Vikings' team.....never mind....

More of Kerry's visit

She is outside fishing this a.m., and had instructions to call my upstairs neighbor, Nancy, to join her at the river's bank at 6:30 a.m. Nancy is 79 years old and wants to break in her new fishing rod given for her birthday. I just have to chuckle at the picture of Kerry and Nancy ("Thank you for inviting me to your baby shower...May I use your bathroom?") fishing side by side. It is making me sad knowing that in two mornings I will be taking her to the airport to go back home. I wish she would just stay....Today sometime she must complete her vacation selections for next year's schedule and fax it in to her job. We will have to find a place with a fax machine, I know my neighbors have fax machines, just have to find someone in when we are ready.

*

Our plans today include breakfast at Grumpy's before heading to Victory for Bible study with Justin and my other 'friends' there. After that we are going to have lunch at Joe's Crab Shack which is at the beach. We are thinking of going to Twila's to fish this afternoon or we can do that on Friday as there are no plans made thus far for Friday. At least, not that I can remember!

*

Wednesday was full of activity starting with her fishing in the early morning hours, feeding the fish her bait. They would grab her hook, eat the bait and swim away! So we went in search of better lures to keep them on the hook and not well fed. We did not go bait shopping, though, until later in the day, as we attended water aerobics. Kerry treated the gang with homemade cream cheese bars, which they did not recognize. Mary Lew asked her if she brought them chunks of cream cheese, not fooling around. I told Kerry that calling these little desserts 'bars' must be a northern thing because we had this happen before, when planning an event at church. Someone thought we wanted to serve candy bars for dessert at one of our functions. Bars? What are bars? Candy bars?? As Kerry asked, "What DO you call them then?" I guess, dessert!

*

After our little treat, we went upstairs to change our clothes to go to Whitey's. I rearranged our schedule so we ate first and then got Kerry's hair cut so that we would have sufficient time between events. Justin joined us for lunch on the deck at Whitey's which was fantastic. Barb cut Kerry's hair and then we went toward Great Hang Ups, with a quick stop at Wal*Mart to buy worms, of all things! Then we visited the ladies at Great Hang Ups for a while before coming back home to rest. We had a big night ahead of us attending Happy Hour at The Club. Maggie came over as did Jessica and the baby for a little while, but then it was time for bed for the baby. Nancy L. joined us and Ellen came to meet Kerry. She had been grocery shopping so Maggie had to meet Ellen at the car to carry the bags upstairs. At least Kerry finally got to meet the mystery friend I talk about. She has yet to meet Martie and I suspect that will not happen this visit. Kerry is making good use of Martie's swimsuit, however, and for that I am forever thankful!

I hate it when time flies sometimes

It makes me sad to think Kerry and I have only a couple more days left here. She loves it and I love that she loves it! Kerry wishes she could remember just who is who of the folks being met, here at The Palace and Club, at church, out and about. Last night we went over to near Beach Blvd. to play Trivia with some of my friends from Victory. They have invited me in the past but it conflicted with Bible study. Since that class finished up, I was free to go play. We did well the first half of the game but lost ground on the second half. No ribbons for us last night, but, as Stephanie posted on Facebook, we scored as winners in FUN category!

*

Tuesday morning Kerry went out fishing before I woke up but got no bites this time. The previous a.m. she caught a fish on her first cast. She is using her leftover shrimp from Clark's Fish Camp as bait. I hope she gets something on the line today. After fishing we went to water aerobics which she absolutely loved. The water was colder than I liked but I managed, it is so much nicer when the sun stays out! Kerry figured she would be sore today and I am anxious to hear if that is true. We sat and chatted a while as we dripped poolside before coming up to change our clothes for shopping. For our lunch I took her to a bbq place called Mojo's where I had some more beef brisquet and smoked corn but I cannot remember what she ordered. Oh, wait, she ordered the smoked chicken, the same lunches we had Labor Day at the cabana. We brought home her leftover mac 'n cheese and mashed potatoes plus half my sandwich.

*

From Mojo's we headed to the Salvation Army thrift store where she found several pieces for herself for work, plus a new purse, and one for Mom! The inside of the one chosen for Mom is absolutely perfect, as though nothing has ever been in it, no crumbs, no lint, nothing. Mom was looking for a bag for winter and I believe we found just the one. Kerry's new one has character and will serve her well, plus I am proud for finding it. And, I hope you are sitting down, I also bought myself something there----a brand new, still in the package never worn pair of red booty fuzzy slippers! They were about $8 which Kerry thought was too much for SA thrift but when she looked them over, she saw the packaging had the retail price of $20 on it, for DeerForms, so said I did good!

*

From the SA shop we drove over to Blanding, to the former Woodchuck's store, where Quigley House has a thrift shop. Quigley is a home for battered and abused mom's/kids, and this shop helps to support it. My friend, Penny, from St. Paul, MN is the chief fund raiser for this organization. My donations will go that direction to be sure. At this shop Kerry found yet some more items plus a pair of shoes, seemingly never worn. These purchases had another 25% off that day so we got her a mess of stuff for less than $40, plus my slippers!

*

Since it was after 2:00 pm, we could visit the Sonic for Happy Hour and she marveled at the huge cup of Diet Coke for $1.07. Thanks, Mom! She said you treated us on that purchase! You know how much we love our Diet Coke. We headed back home, then, and carried our purchases and to-go boxes upstairs. When we opened the door, BAM!---we were hit in the nose with a pungent smell, like paint thinner? At first I was thinking it was from my A/C which was getting a work out but after speaking with Owen, determined the smell would not be coming from there. We knew work is going on in the building somewhere because we could hear saws, etc. and later did find out Tracy was having doors stripped and sanded. Aha! Jessica stopped by on her way out to see/smell what we smelled and said she'd had a headache all day, so wondered if that was what it was. By this time the doors were opened the breezes blowing through so the odor was substantially less potent. She was going to see her mom so would be away for a while, hopefully clear her head and nasal passages over there.

*

After our rests, we watched an episode of "Cash Cab" before Kerry had to dash about getting herself ready for going to play Trivia. She told me it takes her a long time to get ready and marvels at how quickly I can throw myself together. Most of that is because of my hair, it is so maintenance free or maintenance lite! Before we watched Cash Cab though she had to finish watching a show on the Animal Channel where folks were trapped on an island where crocodiles were every 10 feet supposedly and a man had an injured arm which ants began gnawing on. NOT my cup of tea but certainly Kerry's!! She has always, since a little child, enjoyed this type of nature show and loves blood 'n guts programs.

*

We had to drive over to Southside to play Trivia with Stephanie and her daughter at Johnny Angels Diner, and Kerry remarked that it was a long way to go for a burger. We had chili cheese fries which Kerry did not care for, but she was still full from her lunch anyway. Not sure if she ate something when we got home or not. About 9:30 or so she was ready for bed so off she went. Because of going to bed so early she is also an early riser but I never hear a peep from that part of the house, never hear her leaving for fishing or anything.

*

Today is water aerobics again and then we are off to Whitey's for lunch before getting her hair cut in the shop which is in their parking lot. Perfect one-stop shopping!!! Kerry said she is looking forward to her haircut and I hope she lets Barb add some style to it for her. It won't matter though, as long as Kerry is happy with it. My hair is looking sad right now because it's been two months since the silver has been removed. Some say to leave it but I am not really crazy about this look. The front is nearly blond from sun and pool water which is cute but the rest, not so much, in my opinion. We shall see....

*

Tonight is Happy Hour at The Club and we are likely going to attend, as Kerry says it is no problem at all for her. In her words, "Let's go and mingle!" We are also invited as of last night, to join Tracy and her daughter and MamMa on Friday at La Nopalera but I had sort of thought we would not do that. Because time is running short already and I just cannot believe it is nearly time to take her to the airport again. NO!

I should be sleeping

But I am not. There is the cutest commercial on TV for a toy called Mobigo with a darling little boy on it that reminds me of someone. I might have to buy such a toy because of it!

*

Kerry went to bed about an hour ago which is fine especially since she was up several hours before I was, fishing! On her first cast, she managed to catch a fish using the leftover shrimp from her dinner at Clark's. Last night I had sent Suzanne a message, asking if it would work to use that shrimp and she replied this a.m., saying, "NOT!", but it was too late, Kerry had already caught one! Who knew??? Kerry is having so much fun she is nearly skipping about. "Let's go here, let's go there, let's see if anyone is at the pool..." Sounds like me!

*

After she came in from fishing, we got ourselves ready for the day and dashed to Wal*Mart for a few things Kerry needed. She had feared her carry-on bag would not pass muster so removed several clothing items to make the luggage within parameters. Now she knows what truly passes for a carry-on so if she comes again, will know she can bring much more, including a pair of shoes! We found a pair for her, flowered ballerina flats for $2.00----can't beat that with a stick! Also a pair of capris for $3, I think. Or could have been $7, regardless, quite the buy when you had none to start with. Kerry made sure we hustled through Wal*Mart so we would not miss a moment of the fun poolside.

*

Suzanne called us just before we left home, however, requesting some telephone numbers for a couple members, as she needed spreadsheet help. Playing detective, I think she eventually was getting what she needed. Also, I tried to help Bill Brown format a page for printing, trying to talk him through it over the phone. He was doing it all correctly from the way he described his key strokes or mouse-pointing. I asked him, finally, to e-mail it to me and I would reformat his document and send it back. Easier and quicker for me that way! Kerry felt badly for Bill, having so much troubles. He invited us to a dinner on Friday night for raising money in support of Alzheimer research. We will think about it but am not sure that is for us.

*

We had hopped in the pool earlier this a.m. in the teen's end which is normally warmer but it was too cold for me. Gus came through after his walk as did the O'Connell's, who have gotten to know Kerry now. She met Rosemary this a.m. as she hurried to tennis but had time to remark that Kerry sounds just like I do! What?

*

The lunch at the pool was an absolute delight with beef brisket, smoked chicken, potato salad, green bean salad and focaccia bread. Kerry loved the chicken so much she had seconds! I had a dish of scooped ice cream with chocolate sauce for dessert. We sat with my water aerobics folks, one of whom had a hubby to bring with her. Jessica came down for a while and sat with us, and Kerry just loved her. After a certain point I got into the water and eventually I warmed up enough to enjoy it. Penny showed up after lunch and got into the pool, after the kids' games were over. Marlena, the aerobics instructor who was also running the cabana suggested to Skipper, who was doing the games, that he have some activities for adults too. She got me a noodle and we were off to the races! Two other ladies and I participated and I ended up with two last places, two second places and one blue ribbon. Kerry pleaded my case so I could get a second blue ribbon so Skipper told me to get in the middle of the pool and do something funny with my noodle. Hmmmmm.....what could I do that was funny?? I got it-----I leaned over and blew through the noodle, which made a great deal of bubbles come up behind me! That clinched it for me, another blue ribbon for making bubbles in the pool! (Linda, I can see you face now.....)

*

We had such a good time, Kerry talking up a storm with my friends and such. She had gone up to get her suit on and slid into the water with me, until it appeared a storm was brewing. The cabana had already closed and many folks had cleared out for the day so we went upstairs, too. Just in time, the storm came with a bit of thunder and lightning, and some rain. We watched The Bucket List after Maggie left. She had come by with "Freedom Writers" which they had borrowed from me so Kerry and I can watch it. I hope Kerry likes it. She did not cry watching "The Bucket List" but I did enough for both of us. She is not a Nicholson fan but I simply am touched by the premise, you know? "I know where my joy is---she is sitting right next to me..."

*

Kerry was getting drowsy after the movie so we decided to go for a ride. We went to see my old lake house and a few more sights before stopping at Publix. She wanted to get ingredients for making a pan of bars, some of which would be shared with Shari, the nice lady who cleaned for me on Friday and who brought the flowers and cookies. She came by the pool too for a few minutes today and hopefully we will find her tomorrow so Kerry can bestow a plate of cheesecake bars on her. I think Kerry likes it here!

A couple of photos

This morning when I got up, I went to the kitchen to see where Kerry was since the family room was abandoned. It would seem she is outside, fishing, at the moment. She peeled the coating from her leftover cooked shrimp last night and put them in the freezer to use as bait today. Hopefully she meets someone out there to talk to or will simply enjoy her time by the river with the fishing poles and shrimp! The roses brought by Shari yesterday late in the day have opened and looked just lovely this morning. Some are still buds so might open as the day goes by. They certainly do brighten a room just by showing up!

On Saturday morning I reported the pretty sunrise, how ruby red the sun was as it broke the horizon. In my posting I hoped it presented as well in the photo as it did in real life, but it seems, it did not. The photo simply does not do it justice but you can see how still it was on the river when this picture was snapped. Where the sun showed up nicely or not, it was the morning of the day Kerry arrived and that's all that mattered!